Random Number Generators

Abstract

From simple gambling thousands of years ago, to modern statistical sampling, humans have created random number generators. Methods ranging from a simple coin flip to complex deterministic equations have been employed for amusement, statistics, and science. However, the use of random number generators, even today, is still not completely understood. Our foray into random number generation barely scrapes the surface of the subject. Thus, much of this work is a compilation of previous research. Our aim has been to condense the wealth of information on random number generation into a simple overview and further, execute several established generators. Through original computer applets, we attempted to test the degree of randomness of the generators, using several traditional statistical tests.